81' Substitution

Goals from Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson handed Fulham a richly deserved victory over West Brom at Craven Cottage on Sunday. The Whites controlled the game for long spells, hit the woodwork four times and were full value for the three points.

The Whites welcomed Diomansy Kamara back into the fold as the striker was named on the bench for the first time this season after a long injury lay-off.

Scott Carson produced a fine save on the three minute mark to deny a well-taken Danny Murphy free kick after Andy Johnson was brought down near the edge of the West Brom penalty area. With Paul Konchesky also lining up to take the set piece, Murphy directed an effort which Carson palmed, at full stretch, onto the post. The ball was then cleared to safety.

The lively movement of West Brom’s strike force of Jay Simpson and Marc-Antoine Fortune was certainly giving Fulham’s defence something to think about during the early stages. But despite the threat posed by the Baggies’ strike force, Fulham were making most of the running in terms of attacking play.

Fulham turned the heat up on 18 minutes as West Brom struggled to clear their lines. A series of failed clearances resulted in the ball falling to the impressive Dickson Etuhu whose powerful volley from 25 yards could only be parried out by the diving Scott Carson.

A well put together counter attack from Fulham on 23 minutes saw Clint Dempsey produce a stunning left-footed drive which had Carson beaten and clattered the angle of bar and post. The rebound fell kindly to West Brom and they were able to get the ball away from the danger zone.

The Whites continued to bide their time in looking for an opening and once again the woodwork came to West Brom’s rescue – this time Danny Murphy’s side-footed effort from 20 yards looked destined for the top corner but instead struck the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.

The West Brom back line continued to live dangerously when a defensive mix-up saw Danny Murphy’s chipped pass headed past the advancing Scott Carson by Leon Barnett. With the ball rolling on its way into the goal Carson scrambled back just in time to claw the ball away.

A fine opportunity fell to Bobby Zamora on 42 minutes after Simon Davies headed the ball into the path of the big striker, unfortunately Zamora snatched at the chance and sliced over from 10 yards.

West Brom started the second half with a greater degree of urgency but despite their increased work rate, the Whites were still maintaining control of proceedings. Tony Mowbray took action to remedy this by replacing Filipe Teixeira with Northern Ireland international Chris Brunt on 49 minutes. Brunt immediately looked to give the Baggies more width down their left flank and added a spark to their forward play.

A promising Fulham attack on 58 minutes almost created a good opening for the Whites. Clint Dempsey fed the ball to Zamora who cut inside his marker. Zamora regained his footing to play the ball back to Dempsey whose shot took a large deflection which forced Carson to parry.

Fulham continued to press forward and finally took the lead through Bobby Zamora on 61 minutes. The move started with a good forward run from John Pantsil, after beating Chris Brunt his cross was headed to the back post were Bobby Zamora was waiting to apply the scoring touch.

The goal put West Brom into the position where they had nothing to lose and as a result their attacking play carried much more intent.

Fulham struck the woodwork for the fourth time in the 70th minute when Simon Davies’ cross was met by the head of Brede Hangeland. His effort hit the underside of the bar and was scrambled off the line by Carson. Zamora had an opportunity to fire home the rebound but he was unable to get the ball out from under his feet.

Fulham did not have long to wait for their second though as Andy Johnson made it two-nil on 71 minutes. Bobby Zamora took Danny Murphy’s free kick well on his chest before unleashing a powerful shot which was blocked by Carson but only as far as Johnson, who placed the ball into a relatively unguarded net.

Roy Hodgson replaced both Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson with Erik Nevland and Diomansy Kamara as Fulham looked to finish the game off in style. Danny Murphy’s involvement ended soon after when he was replaced by Olivier Dacourt.

West Brom were handed a lifeline late on after Brunt was brought down in the area for a penalty. Roman Bednar stepped up but his kick was easily saved by Mark Schwarzer.